Incubating eggs

[Brandi Leigh]

Been thinking about starting to incubate some eggs from our Buff Orpingtons. But since it is rather cold here the eggs get cold very quickly after being layed. I figured that these cold eggs would not be any good for incubating. But I was wondering if anyone know what temperature the eggs can not fall below before the eggs are no longer viable?

 

[stevetone]

It depends on temperature and length of time at that temperature.

I've clipped a piece from Aviagen which is about turkey hatching egg storage, but it should apply to chickens as well. Basically, the pre-embryos:

• will suffer tissue damage with exposure of more than 6 hours at temperatures between 35F and 50F
• will die at temperatures below 35F

The PDF is here: http://www.aviagenturkeys.com/media/183179/atihe-storagetempchart.pdf

Collecting eggs to hatch during the winter is a challenge. We are doing it for the first time this winter, and it has been tough. You really need to gather eggs every 3 hours or so to be successful.

It doesn't make it any easier that their lights come on at 2am to promote egg production...

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Another good read that has some explainations is http://www.brinsea.com/customerservice/poweroff.html

ignore the title alot of good info!

 

[LukensFarms]

Here in Colorado I incubate eggs all winter long. I have successfully incubated eggs even when the temperature is about 20 or 30°. However, when I gather the eggs I touch them to my face, if they feel slightly warm you can incubate them, if they are cold or sweating then you cannot get them to hatch.